GAO Report Finds Managers Resistant to Telework

The report found that, while almost half a million federal employees teleworked in fiscal 2015, it is unlikely that agencies are best utilizing telework programs.

Looking at four agencies—the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – this report discovered that many face similar reporting challenges, even though they are meeting the general requirements of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010.

One barrier was identified in all four agencies: managerial resistance to telework. When meeting with focus groups from all four agencies, GAO uncovered examples of managers whose behavior discouraged telework. In some cases, they would not allow for changes to telework schedules or even limit the number of telework days allowed.

Conversely, they also found examples where managers supported telework, with some hosting annual telework weeks, in addition to allowing for flexibility and schedule changes for employees.

“According to federal standards for internal control, management, along with oversight from the oversight body, should determine through an evaluation process the extent to which deviations are occurring that would prevent the organization from achieving its objectives,” GAO stated.